Compositions for removal of toxins

ABSTRACT

A medicinal or cosmetic composition comprising  Aloe vera  in combination with at least one vitamin, a minerals concentrate, an organic oils concentrate, at least one Chinese Herb, at least one essential oil and at least one spice. The composition may be administered orally or topically.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/GB02/03590 filed on Aug. 5, 2002 and published in English as International Publication No. WO 03/015805 A1 on Feb. 27, 2003, which application claims priority to Great Britain Application No. 0119723.5 filed on Aug. 13, 2001 and Great Britain Application No. 0127364.8 filed on Nov. 14, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

The invention relates to medicinal and cosmetic compositions comprising an essential oil in combination with at least one spice and/or at least one herb. Such compositions may be taken orally or may be absorbed through the skin.

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years in aromatherapy. The ancient Chinese are generally acknowledged as the founders of aromatherapy, but it is more than likely that quite early in the history of civilisation man had realised that certain aromatic plants could help restore his health. Aromatic substances were also used by the ancient Egyptians and Ancient Greeks as medicinal perfumes.

In the 10th century the Arabs were extracting essential oils from aromatic plants and using them medicinally. The Knights of the Crusades brought aromatic essences and waters back to Europe from the Middle East and they became so popular that perfume began to be manufactured and was well established by the end of the 12th century. The importance of aromatic plants for other purposes was realised early. When the bubonic plague reached England around the middle of the 14th century, fires were ordered in the streets at night, burning aromatic frankincense and pine; indoors, incense and perfumed candles were burnt to combat infection and disguise the stench of death; pomanders made from aromatic gums and resins were worn on ribbons round the neck to protect the wearers from the dreaded Black Death.

By the turn of the 18th century essential oils were widely used in medicinal preparations and Salmon's dispensary of 1896 contains recipes for numerous aromatic remedies. In the 19th century, essential oils were subjected to more scientific investigation, and it was discovered that some of them could be synthesised from other materials. As it is always quicker and cheaper to produce the laboratory versions than natural plant extracts, true essential oils began to fall from favour. Today, many of our medicines and perfumes contain so-called essential oils, though often they are mere imitations; while synthetics may smell like the real thing, they do no possess the same therapeutic properties.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are highly scented droplets found in minute quantities in the flowers, stems, leaves, roots and barks of aromatic plants. They are not true oils in the manner of lubricant vegetable oils, but highly fluid and exceptionally volatile.

Essential oils are complex mixtures of different organic molecules—terpenes, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, ketones and phenols. Synthetic oils are usually made from one or more of the constituents predominant within a particular essential oil; menthol, for example, often substitutes for mint and eucalyptol for eucalyptus. However, there are sound reasons for believing that it is the interaction between each and every component that gives an essential oil its particular character and unique therapeutic properties.

The chemical composition of an oil is related to the time of day, the month or the season. Jasmine develops a strongly scented indole molecule at midnight when it is particularly intoxicating, and it is important to gather the petals at exactly the right moment. There are good years and bad years for essential oils as there are with wines. Some commercial producers have discovered that they can improve the quality of a poor yield by adding certain components and that an expensive oil like rosemary can be adulterated, without altering its aroma, by adding 30–40% of camphor which is considerably cheaper for the perfume industry. Such adulteration may be commercially acceptable but it might well alter the therapeutic properties of the oil. It is important to try to ensure that essential oils come from reputable sources and are as pure as possible.

Experts recognise an essential oil by its aroma and check its composition by a process called Gas Liquid Chromatography. Colour can also be an indicator; eucalyptus is colourless, chamomile varies from white to blue and others, like basil and sandalwood (both light greenish-yellow), are in pastel shades. Yet others are richly pigmented, like jasmine, a deep reddish-brown, patchouli, brown, and rose, orange-red.

Extraction of the Oils

Essential oils may be extracted from plants in a number of ways. One of the oldest methods is distillation, practised in ancient Persia, Turkey and India thousands of years ago. The Egyptians were preparing essence of cedarwoods for embalming and other purposes around 2000 BC; the wood was heated in a clay vessel covered by a screen of woollen fibres through which the steam had to pass. The essence was obtained by squeezing out the impregnated wool.

The Arabs are credited with having popularised distillation in the late 10th century. They began with extract of rose petals then experimented with other aromatic materials. Today, distillation remains the most commonly used means of extracting essential oils.

Other methods include enfleurage, often used for delicate petals like jasmine and tuberose; maceration, for tougher flowers and leaves, roots and bark; solvent extraction, the preferred method for gums and resins like myrrh and galbanum; and hand expression, chiefly employed for squeezing the highly aromatic oils from thick-skinned citrus fruit like oranges, tangerines and lemons.

The Properties and Uses of Essential Oils

Essential oils possess numerous properties which make them useful for treating many of our most common health and beauty troubles.

Professor Paolo Rovesti, Director of the Instituto Derivati Vegetali in Milan, has studied the effect of essential oils on the psyche and found that they can be useful in the treatment of anxiety and depression. He recommends ylang-ylang, citrus oils, jasmine, basil, patchouli and peppermint for treating general depression, geranium, lavender and bergamot for treating fear and anxiety, and peppermint, rose and carnation for improving concentration and eliminating lethargy. Sprayed into the air, these oils also have immediate and long-lasting effects.

The reasons for these reactions are as yet unclear, but it is known that odour molecules are perceived by thousands of tiny nerve cells in the nose and that each of these nerves is connected to that part of the brain which is concerned with emotional drives, creativity and sexual behaviour. This could explain why certain perfumes make us feel happy, why some essences, like jasmine and rose, have a reputation for being aphrodisiac and why unpleasant smells, like petrol fumes, can induce depression. While pure essential oils appear to have a positive influence on the psyche, it is doubtful that synthetic ones work in the same way.

Spices are conventionally used as flavourings in, for example, Indian or Thai dishes. Spices are usually the dried, aromatic parts of plants, generally the seeds, berries, roots, pods and sometimes leaves and flesh, which mainly, but not invariably, grow in hot countries.

The medicinal uses of spices in the past were often indistinguishable from their culinary uses, particularly so in mediaeval times, when apothecaries prescribed herbs and spices not merely for digestive problems, but for all types of ailments. Hot spices, such as pepper, were regarded as an appetite stimulant and a digestive aid; asafoetida, now known only in Indian cookery, was used by the Romans as a healing ointment, an antidote for snake bites, and an cure for gout, cramps, pleurisy, and tetanus; spiced salts were made with ginger, pepper, cumin, thyme and celery seed which were good for the digestion, promoting regularity and preventing all sorts of illnesses, plagues and chills; and citron seeds were given to pregnant women to relieve nausea. Roman and mediaeval writers also believed the fennel helped to promote and restore good vision and it was at one time a cure for obesity.

Chinese herbal medicine has been known in China for several thousands of years. Only recently, however, has it become recognised in the West that Chinese herbs may be used to treat medical conditions.

The inventors have unexpectedly found that it is possible to combine essential oils with naturally occurring spices and/or Chinese herbs to produce medicinal compositions which may be taken orally or which may be directly absorbed through the skin. Compositions of the invention may be used to treat a surprising range of illnesses.

Such compositions are especially important with the move by many members of the public towards more “natural” treatments, which do not use artificial medicines.

Accordingly a first aspect of the invention provides a medicinal or cosmetic composition comprising Aloe vera in combination with at least one Vitamin, at least one Chinese herb, at least one essential oil and at least one spice.

Preferably the composition comprises a minerals concentrate and/or an organic oils concentrate.

Aloe vera extract is the delivery vehicle for the other components of the composition. It is readily accepted by the body and has not been found to produce allergic reactions or side effects. Preferably the extract is concentrated, for example, in powder form. The extract may be purified by, for example, cold pressing. Such purification removes aloins which have laxative properties when taken internally. Preferably the whole leaf is used to obtain the extract. The full potency of the polysaccharides in the Aloe vera is preferably maintained.

Examples of vitamins include Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocapherol), Grapeskin Polyphenol, Pycnogenol (French Maritime), Pine Bark Extract and Inositol.

In a first preferred embodiment, known as a Delivery and Bio Availability System, the compositions comprise one or more essential oils selected from:

-   -   (a) Alfalfa, Clove Buds, Tea Tree, Apricot Seed, Bergamot,         Chamomile Bleu, Chamomile German, Chamomile Maroc, Chamomile         Roman, Cinnamon Zeylanicium, Eucalyptus Globulus, Fennel,         Frankincense, Hyssop, Juniper, Lemon Grass, Niaouli, Pineseed,         Rose Geranium, Rosemary, Savoury, Tagestes, Thyme Red and Ylang         Ylang.

More preferably the compositions comprise one or more essential oils selected from: Alfalfa, Clove Buds and Tea Tree.

By comprise we mean that the composition contains ingredients, not that it consists solely of them.

In an alternative embodiment known as a pollution irrigator, the compositions comprise one or more essential oils selected from: Apricot Seed, Bergamot, Chamomile Maroc, Cinnamon Zeylanicium, Eucalyptus Globulus, Frankincense, Pineseed, Rose Geranium and Tagestes.

The compositions in the Delivery and Bio Availability System preferably comprise one or more Chinese herbs selected from:

-   -   (b) Bao Shao, Epidmedium Spinosa, Gan Cao, Gan Tiang, Gui Zhi,         Lei Wan, Man Ting Zi, Shu Chang Pu, Tian Men Dong, Wu Wei Zi,         Yin Yang Huo, Zi Su Ye, Chen Pi, Fu Hai Shi, Huang Qin, Jing         Jie, Qing Hao, Tu Si Zi, Xin Yi Hua, Yu Xing Cao and Yuan Zhi.

More preferably the compositions comprise one or more Chinese herbs selected from: Epimedium Spinosa, Gan Tiang, Lei Wan, Man Ting Zi, San Qi and Wu Wei Zi.

In an alternative pollution irrigator embodiment the compositions comprise one or more Chinese herbs selected from: Bai Guo, Bai Guo Ye, Chen Pi, Fu Hai Shi, Qing Hao and Yuan Zhi.

Preferably the Delivery and Bio Availability compositions comprise one or more spices selected from:

-   -   (c) Caraway, Cloves Ground, Indian Brandee, Cardomon Ground and         Celery Seeds Ground.

More preferably the compositions comprise one or more spices selected from: Caraway and Cloves Ground

In a second alternative embodiment known as a “pollution irrigator” the compositions comprise one or more spices selected from: Cardomon Ground and Celery Seeds Ground.

Preferably the composition comprises all of the oils, herbs and spices from lists (a), (b) and (c). This combination has been found to especially improve the effectiveness of the compositions.

The compositions may further comprise Flower remedies, especially Bach flower remedies. Preferably the compositions comprise one or more flower remedies selected from: Beech, Chicory, Honeysuckle and Sweet Chestnut. Such remedies are well known in the art.

The composition may comprise a honey product such as royal jelly or bee propolis. Royal jelly and bee propolis have been used for many years to treat a wide range of conditions and as nutrient supplements.

Indian brandee may also be incorporated with the composition. Indian brandee has been used for many years as to relieve flatulence and colic. Its main ingredients are rhubarb tincture, capiscum tincture, ethanol, cochineal and methyl hydroxybenzoate.

Compositions of the invention may be used in combination with alternative methods of treatment such as aromatherapy, Bach flowers therapy, reflexology, acupuncture and/or the Alexander technique, all of which are known in the art.

The first and second embodiments may be used independently or together.

The invention may be used orally. Accordingly the invention preferably provides tablets or capsules comprising the compositions of the invention for oral administration.

Another aspect of the invention provides the use of a medicinal composition according to the invention for the irrigation of the body, to remove toxins, and for the preparation of the body to receive further treatment.

The compositions of the invention may be used in conjunction with aromatherapy and/or reflexology and/or physiotherapy to produce enhanced results.

The invention further provides the use of a medicinal composition according to the invention in combination with a second composition comprising at least one essential oil in combination with at least one spice and/or herb.

Preferably the spice is an “Indian spice” as defined herein. The herb is preferably a “Chinese herb” as defined herein.

The composition may also comprise one or more flavourings, such as blackcurrant concentrate, vitamins, amino acids and minerals. Examples of vitamins include Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin D and Vitamin E, which may be in the form of alpha-tocopherol. Inositol, pepsin, selenium methionine, soya isolate, trace mineral clay, whey protein, zinc amino acid chelate and individual amino acids such as lysine may be used. Enzymes, such as plant extracts comprising enzymes may also be incorporated.

The essential oils, spices, Chinese herbs and vitamins preferably used within the second composition are shown in Tables 1 to 3. The tables also show the source or method of obtaining the component These are described in WO98/40086.

TABLE 1 ESSENTIAL OILS Aniseed Basil Benzoin Bergamot Black Pepper Camphor Carrot Cedarwood Chamomile German Chamomile Maroc Chamomile Roman Cinnamon Leaf Clove Buds Cypress Dill Eucalyptus Globulus Fatigue Fennel Frankincense Ginger Grand Fir Grapefruit Grapeseed Hazel Hyssop Jojoba Juniper Juniper Berry Lavender Lemon Lemon Grass Melissa Mountain Savoury Myrtle Red Neroli Niaouli Patchouli Peppermint Pine Red Myrtle Rescue Remedy Rose Geranium Rosemary Sandlewood Spanish Marjoram Sweet Marjoram Sweet Thyma Tagestes Tea Tree Thyme Red Thyme Sweet Ylang Ylang

TABLE 2 SPICES Allspice Allspice Ground Anise Star Aniseed Arrowroot Arrowroot Ground Asafoetidia Caraway Ground Cardamom Cardamom Seeds Carob Cassia Cassia Bark Cayenne Pepper Celery Salt Chilli Chilli Powder Cinnamon Cinnamon Ground Cinnamon Sugar Cloves Cloves Ground Coconut Cream Block Coconut Ground Coconut Powder Coriander Coriander Ground Cream of Tartar Cumin Dill Dill Seeds Dutch Caraway Fennel Fennel Powder Fenugreek Fenugreek Powder Garlic Ginger Horseradish Horseradish Ribbled Juniper Berries Laos Laos Powder Lemon Grass Mace Mace Ground Mango Powder Mixed Spices Mixed Spices - Sweet Mushroom Mustard Seed Black Mustard Seed Yellow Nutmeg Nutmeg Powder Onion Orris Root Paprika - Sweet Slippery Elm Tamarind Block Tumeric

TABLE 3 HERBS Ba Ji Tian Bai Dou Kou Bai Gou Bai Guo Ye (Ginkgo) Bai He Bai Ji Tian Bai Jiang Cao Bai Zhi Bai Zhu Ban Xia Bi Ji Tian Bo He Bladderwrack Boswellia Serrata Bu Gu Zhi Cang Er Zi Chai Hu Chamaelirium Lurea (False Unicorn) Chan Tiu Che Qian Cao Che Qien Zi Che Quian Cao Chen Xiang Chi Shao Yao Chuan Lian Zi Da Huang Da Zao Dan Shen Dang Gui (Dong Quai) Dang Shen Du Zhong Echinacaea Angustifolia Er Cha Fan Xie Ye (Senna) Fu Ling Fu Pen Zi Gao Ben Garcinia Cambogia Ge Gen Gou Qi Zi (Lycium) Gou Teng Guaiacum Wood Gui Ban Guo Teng Guo Ye (Ginkgo) He Zi Horsetail Hu Huang Lian Hu Po Hua Jiao Huai Jiao Zi Huang Lian Huang Qi Huo Ma Ren Ji Xue Feng Jiang Can Jie Geng Jin Quian Cao Jin Yin Hua Jin Ying Zi Lian Zi Lian Zi (Red) Long Yan Rou Lu Jiao Shuang Ma Dou Ling Mai Men Dong Mai Ya Man Jing Zi Mao Zhao Cao (Cats Claw) Mate Leaf Mexican Yam Root Milk Thistle Seed Mu Dan Pi Mu Hu Die Mu Li Mu Tong Niu Bang Zi Ou Jie Qiang Huo Rou Cong Rong Salix Alba (White Willow) Sang Ye Shan Zha Shen Jin Cao Sheng Ma Shiu Niu Jiao Si Shu Di Huang Spirulina Su Mu Su Zi (Zi Su Zi) Suan Zao Ren Tian Ma Tian Nan Xing Ting Li Zi Wang Bu Liu Xing Guo Wu Bei Zi Wu Jia Pi Wu Yao Xian He Cao Xing Ren Yan Hu Suo Yang Rong Wan Ye Ju Hua Ye Tu Hua Yi Mu Cao Yin Yang Huo Yohimbe Zhen Zhu Mu Zhi Mu Zhi Zi

Preferably the second composition comprises one or more essential oils selected from:

-   -   (d) bergamot, chamomile german, chamomile maroc, chamomile         roman, cinnamon zeylanicum, clove buds, eucalyptus globulus,         frankincense, fennel, hyssop, juniper, lemon grass, mountain         savoury, niaouli, red thyme, rosemary, rose geranium, tagestes         and ylang ylang.

The second composition may comprise one or more Chinese herbs selected from:

-   -   (e) acacia catechu, acanthopanax gracilistylus, caesalpinia         sappan and epimedium spinosa

Preferably the second composition comprises one or more spices selected from:

-   -   (f) asapoetidia, coconut, coriander, fenugreek and horseradish.

Preferably the composition comprises all of the oils, herbs and spices from lists (d), (e) and (f). This combination has been found to especially improve the effectiveness of the compositions.

Essential oils are typically extracted by steam distillation, expression (hard pressing) or maceration. Such techniques are well known in the art.

CHINESE HERBS

Herbs and Their Properties

In China the herbs used are gathered from the wild by hand. The best ones grow far from human habitation, and the herbalists who gather them will also be botanists, explorers, climbers and environmentalists. They need to be able to identify the relevant herb in all stages of its development, know where the finest ones grow, be able to get to the plants even when they grow in highly inaccessible places, know how much they can take without threatening a particular species, and always be on the look-out for new sources and new species.

They are mostly imported from Hong Kong, although some come from mainland China via Beijing and Shanghai. Increasingly, as China opens its doors to the West, better access will be granted for importing herbs.

Some herbalists import their herbs directly, while others purchase them from Chinese herbal cash and carry stores in the West or from mail order suppliers.

Examples of Chinese herbs which may be used in the invention are listed above.

Preservation

Once the herbs have been collected from the wild they need to be treated so that they will keep their essential qualities during storage. They are always washed and dried. The method of drying varies depending on the particular herb and what it is going to be used for. They may be sun-dried or dried in a clay oven, alone or with other herbs. Sometimes they are dried with minerals such as sulphur, which bleaches them and also acts as a preservative. Occasionally you may hear of herbs being treated. This means that, after drying, they are stir-fried with angelica and milk vetch to enhance their properties. Some may also be buried in the ground to absorb moisture, or cooked in a clay pot with rice wine or honey to increase their potency.

Cutting up Herbs

Before or after they have been dried, the herbs will need to be cut up using a herb chopper. When this is done depends on the herb and its eventual usage. There are several ways of cutting herbs. Large roots are often sliced across at 90 degrees, which gives them a round cross-section, while smaller ones are cut at an angle to give a larger surface area. Some herbs are chopped very finely and compressed into a cake.

Some herbs have to be ground to a powder and this is done using a mortar and pestle with a lid, to avoid the loss of powder during crushing.

Storage

Traditionally, herbs would be stored in clay pots after preservation and cutting up. The shape of the clay pots and whether they were covered or uncovered depended on the herbs. The Chinese have always used clay pots, because clay was the simplest and cheapest material to get hold of and also because, when glazed and therefore non-absorbent, it helped to keep the properties of the herbs intact.

Modern herbalists increasingly use glass jars and bottles for herb storage, but still rely on wooden drawers for the bulk of their stocks because this is the easiest and most convenient method of dispensing them. These drawers are rarely labelled, as the herbalist is completely familiar with their contents. Since the drawers are arranged according to meridians and properties it would be hard for the herbalist to make a mistake that would result in a herb of a totally different type being dispensed.

Freshness of Stocks

However the herbs are stored, herbalists will check them periodically for mould and other signs of decay.

Herbs may need to be retreated—that is, washed and boiled, redried and, where necessary, freshly treated with angelica again in the same way that fresh herbs are.

Weighing Herbs

The scales used for most Chinese herbs are accurate to within approximately 3 grams. The scales are used by holding one of the strings near the pan and adjusting the weight on the rod.

Metric weights have been used for convenience, but Chinese herbalists use Chinese weights. Their names and metric equivalents are given below.

 1 fan = 0.3 grams approx 10 fan = 1 qin = 3 grams approx 10 qin = 1 lian = 30 grams approx 16 lian = 1 jin = 480 grams approx

Whenever scales are used, the weight given is always that of the herb before any stir-frying which may be specified on the prescription. The herbs may be fried in honey, water or rice wine, or ‘burned’ until black in a red-hot wok. These treatments naturally change the weight of the herb, and it is not unknown for patients to weight their herbs afterwards and mistakenly complain that they have been short-changed by the herbalist.

Boiling and Steaming

As soon as possible after collection, the herbs are boiled in clay pots. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes much like Western saucepans. It used to be traditional to throw away all pots used in medicinal preparations on the Chinese New Year's Eve. But few herbalists in the West can afford to do this now, especially since some of the decorated pots are extremely expensive.

Steam pots are used a lot for medicinal foods. The ingredients are added to the pot, after which both lids are put on and fastened by a string which passes through the handles. The pot is then placed in a larger pot of boiling water. The herbs and other ingredients are gently cooked by the rising steam without losing any valuable elements which might otherwise be boiled out.

Properties of Commonly Used Chinese Herbs

In the following lists the Chinese name has been used, along with the botanical name and the Western common name where possible. (Some Chinese herbs are not native to the West and have no corresponding Western name so in these cases the literal English translation has often been included.) Most of the herbs described here can be used in their fresh state, but they can all be ordered as dried herbs. Dosages given are standard ones from which herbalists would raise or lower according to the individual. It is interesting to note that many of the Chinese names have suffixes denoting parts of the plant, for example: hua/flower; pi/cortex or peel; ren/seeds; ye/leaf; zi/fruit or seeds. The dosage refers to the total dose over the course duration.

Details of preferably used herbs follows:

Bái dóu kòu

Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Amomi Kravanh

Actions

-   -   Aromatically transforms dampness: used in damp warm-febrile         diseases with such symptoms as a stifling sensation in the         chest, lack of appetite, and a very greasy tongue coating.     -   Warms the middle burner and causes rebellious qi to descent: for         vomiting due to cold from deficiency of the spleen and stomach,         or stomach cold.     -   Promotes the movement of qi and transforms stagnation: for         stagnant qi of the spleen or stomach with such symptoms as         fullness in the chest or epigastrium with distension and lack of         appetite.         Bái guo         Pharmaceutical name: Semen Ginkgo Bilobae         Actions     -   Expels phlegm and stops wheezing: for wheezing with coughing and         copious sputum.     -   Eliminates dampness and stops discharge: for vaginal discharge         and turbid urine. This herb is used both in cases of deficiency         and damp-heat.     -   Stabilises the lower burner: for urinary frequency or         incontinence, or spermatorrhea         Bai hé         Pharmaceutical name: Bulbus Lilii         Actions     -   Moistens the lungs, clears heat, and stops cough: for dry lung         or lung-heat coughs and sore throat.     -   Clears the heart and calms the spirit: for such symptoms as         intractable low-grade fever, insomnia, restlessness, and         irritability in the aftermath of a febrile disease, Also for         palpitations brought on by insufficiency of qi and yin.         Bài jiàng cao         Pharmaceutical name: Herba cum Radice Patriniae         Actions     -   Clears heat, relieves toxicity, and expels pus: for either         internal fire toxin disorders, such as intestinal abscess, or         fire toxin surface sores and swellings. May be taken internally         or applied topically.     -   Dispels blood stasis and stops pain: for pain and obstruction         associated with heat-induced blood stasis especially in the         abdomen and chest. Also for post partum pain, and more recently         for postoperative pain.         Bái sháo         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae         Actions     -   Nourishes the blood and regulates the menses: for blood         deficiency with such symptoms as menstrual dysfunction, vaginal         discharge and uterine bleeding. This is a very commonly-used         herb for treating women's disorders.     -   Calms and curbs the liver yang and alleviates pain: for such         symptoms as flank, chest or abdominal pain from either         constrained liver qi or disharmony between the liver and spleen.         In general, this herb is used to “soften and comfort” the liver,         stop painful spasms in the abdomen, stop cramping pain or spasms         in the hands and feet, and alleviate abdominal pain associated         with dysenteric disorders. It is also used for headache and         dizziness due to ascendant liver yang.     -   Preserves the yin and adjusts the nutritive and protective         levels: for vaginal discharge and spermatorrhea as well as         exterior wind-cold from deficiency patterns with continuous         sweating that does not resolve the problem. It is also used for         yin deficiency where the yang floats to the surface causing         spontaneous sweating or night sweats.         Baí zhi         Pharmaceutical name: Angelicae Dahuricae         Actions     -   Expels wind and alleviates pain: for patterns of         externally-contracted wind-cold, especially those with headache.         Also for supraorbital pain, nasal congestion, and toothache.         While primarily a warming herb, it can be used for any problem         due to wind invading the yang brightness channels of the head.     -   Reduces swelling and expels pus: for early stages of surface         sores and carbuncles. If the sore, ulcer, or carbuncle has not         yet suppurated, this herb will help reduce the swelling. If pus         has already formed or the sore has ulcerated, the herb can be         used to help discharge the pus.     -   Expels dampness and alleviates discharge: usually for vaginal         discharge due to damp-cold in the lower burner, but with the         appropriate herbs can also be used to treat vaginal discharge         from damp-heat.     -   Opens up the nasal passages: for sinus congestion.         Bàn xià         Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae         Actions     -   Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, and causes rebellious qi to         descend: for cough with copious sputum, as in conditions of         phlegm-cold in the lungs. Especially effective in transforming         phlegm due to dampness of the spleen.     -   Harmonises the stomach and stops vomiting: for lingering         phlegm-dampness in the stomach that rebels upward, causing         nausea and vomiting.     -   Dissipates nodules and reduces distension: for modules,         pressure, distension, or pain due to phlegm lingering in the         chest, phlegm nodules in the neck )such as those of goiter and         scrofula) or obstructions caused by phlegm anywhere in the body.         Also for focal distension in the chest and epigastrium.         Bó hé         Pharmaceutical name: Herba Menthae Haplocalycis         Actions     -   Disperses wind-heat: for patterns of wind-heat with fever,         headache, and cough.     -   Clears the head and eyes and benefits the throat: for patterns         of wind-heat with sore throat, red eyes, and headache.     -   Vents rashes: used in the early stages of rashes (such as         measles) to induce the rash to come to the surface and thereby         speed recovery.     -   Allows constrained liver qi to flow freely: for constrained         liver qi with such symptoms as pressure in the chest or flanks,         emotional instability, and gynaecological problems.         Bu gu zhì         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Psoraleae Corylifoliae         Actions     -   Tonifies the kidneys and fortifies the yang: for kidney yang         deficiency patterns with such symptoms as impotence, premature         ejaculation, cold and painful lower back, or weak lower back and         extremities.     -   Stabilises the essence and reserves urine: for enuresis,         incontinence of urine, frequent urination, and spermatorrhea.     -   Tonifies and warms the spleen yang: for cold deficient spleen         diarrhoea, borborygmus, and abdominal pain. Most appropriate         those cases with both spleen and kidney deficiency.     -   Aids the kidneys to grasp the qi: for wheezing when the kidneys         do not grasp the lung qi.     -   Recently used topically for alopecia, psoriasis, and vitiligo.         Cang er zi         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Xanthii Sibirici         Actions     -   Disperses wind and dispels dampness: for wind-damp painful         obstruction or skin disorders with itching.     -   Opens the nasal passages: for any nasal or sinus problem with a         thick, viscous discharge and related headache.     -   Dispels exterior wind: as an auxiliary herb for exterior         disorders with a splitting headache that radiates to the back of         the neck.         Chái hú         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Bupleuri         Actions     -   Resolves lesser yang disorders and reduces fever: for         alternating chills and fever accompanied by a bitter taste in         the mouth, flank pain, irritability, vomiting, and a stifling         sensation in the chest associated with the lesser yang stage of         externally-contracted disorders.     -   Spreads liver qi and relieves constraint: for constrained liver         qi with such symptoms as dizziness, vertigo, chest and flank         pain, emotional instability, or menstrual problems. Also used         for disharmonies between the liver and the spleen with such         symptoms as epigastric and flank pain, a stifling sensation in         the chest, abdominal bloating, nausea, and indigestion.     -   Raises the yang qi in patterns of spleen or stomach deficiency:         for haemorrhoids, anal or uterine prolapse, and diarrhoea due to         collapse of the spleen qi.         Chán tuì         Pharmaceutical name: Periostracum Cicadae         Actions     -   Disperses wind and clears heat: for patterns of         externally-contracted wind-heat, especially with loss of voice         and a swollen, sore throat.     -   Vents rashes: for early stage of measles with an incomplete         expression of the rash.     -   Clears the eyes and removes superficial visual obstruction: for         wind-heat eye problems such as red, painful, and swollen eyes,         or blurry vision     -   Stops spasms and extinguishes wind: for childhood febrile         diseases in which wind causes convulsions, spasms, delirium, or         night terrors. Also used as an auxiliary substance in treating         tetanus.         Chè qián zi         Pharmaceutical name: Semen Plantaginis         Actions     -   Promotes urination and clears heat: for any type of oedema or         painful urinary dysfunction due to damp-heat. Generally used for         damp-heat pouring into the lower burner.     -   Promotes urination to solidify the stool: for diarrhoea         associated with either damp-heat or damp-summerheat.     -   Clears the eyes: for eye problems associated with either liver         and kidney deficiency (e.g. dry eyes or cataracts) or heat in         the liver channel (e.g. red, painful, swollen eyes and         sensitivity to light) depending on which other herbs it is         combined with.     -   Expels phlegm and stops cough: for lung heat-induced cough with         copious sputum.         Chén pí         Pharmaceutical name: Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae         Actions     -   Regulates the qi, improves the transportive function of the         spleen, adjusts the middle and relieves the diaphragm: for         spleen or stomach stagnant qi patterns with such symptoms as         epigastric or abdominal distension, fullness, bloating,         belching, and nausea and vomiting. This herb promotes the         movement of qi in general while specifically directing it         downward. It is therefore commonly used in treating many         different types of nausea and vomiting.     -   Dries dampness and transforms phlegm: an important herb for         phlegm-damp coughs with a stifling sensation in the chest and/or         diaphragm, and copious, viscous sputum. Also used for damp         turbidity obstructing the middle with a stifling sensation in         the chest, abdominal distension, loss of appetite, fatigue,         loose stool and a thick, greasy tongue coating. An important         qi-level herb of both the spleen and lung channels, it is         especially appropriate for disorders involving both channels.     -   Helps prevent stagnation: used with tonifying herbs to prevent         their cloying nature from causing stagnation.         Chén xiang         Pharmaceutical name: Lignum Aquilariae         Actions     -   Promotes the movement of qi and alleviates pain: for stagnant qi         patterns with such symptoms as distension, pain or a feeling of         pressure in the epigastric or abdominal region. Especially         useful for problems due to cold from deficiency or blood stasis.     -   Directs rebellious qi downward and regulates the middle: for         rebellious qi downward and regulates the middle: for rebellious         qi wheezing of either the excessive or deficient type or         vomiting, belching or hiccups due to cold from deficiency of the         stomach or spleen.     -   Aids the kidneys in grasping the qi: for asthma and wheezing due         to kidney deficiency.         Chì sháo         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Paeoniae Rubrae         Actions     -   Invigorates the blood and unblocks menstruation: for blood         stasis patterns with amenorrhea, abdominal pain, post partum         dizziness, lochioschesis and abdominal masses.     -   Dispels blood stasis and alleviates pain: for blood stasis         wounds and pain, nonsuppurative sores, carbuncles and dark         purplish erythema. Also for incomplete expression of the rash of         measles or painful obstruction of the chest due to blood stasis.         Chuan liàn zi         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Meliae Toosendan         Actions     -   Promotes the movement of qi and stops pain: for flank, rib and         abdominal pain due to constrained liver qi or liver-stomach         disharmony. Also used for hernial disorders.     -   Especially useful in cases with heat signs.     -   Clears heat, dries dampness, regulates the qi and alleviates         pain: for epigastric, abdominal, flank or hernial pain         associated with damp-heat stagnant qi.     -   Kills parasites and stops pain: for roundworms and tapeworms.         Although this herb is not particularly effective in expelling         parasites, it is able to alleviate pain and is therefore used         for abdominal pain due to accumulation of parasites. Also used         topically in powder form for tinea of the scalp.         Dà huáng         Pharmaceutical name: Radix et Rhizoma Rhei         Actions     -   Drains heat and purges accumulations: for high fever, profuse         sweating, thirst, constipation, abdominal distension and pain,         delirium, yellow tongue coating and a full pulse. This         presentation is referred to either as intestinal heat excess or         the yang brightness organ-stage of the six stages of disease.     -   Drains damp-heat: drains damp-heat via the stool, especially in         cases of damp-heat jaundice or acute, hot dysenteric disorders.         Also for painful urinary dysfunction.     -   Drains heat from the blood: for blood in the stool either from         bleeding haemorrhoids or heat accumulating in the intestines.         Also for reckless movement of hot blood that overflows,         manifested in vomiting blood or nosebleed accompanied by         constipation.     -   Invigorates the blood and dispels blood stasis: for amenorrhea,         immobile abdominal masses, or fixed pain due to blood stasis.         Also for blood stasis due to traumatic injury or intestinal         abscess. This is an important herb for treating both recent and         long-term blood stasis.     -   Clears heat obstructing the blood level: for fever, hot, swollen         and painful eyes or fire toxin sores due to heat excess         obstructing the blood level.     -   Clears heat and reduces fire toxicity: used either topically or         internally for burns or hot skin lesions.         Dà zao         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae         Actions     -   Tonifies the spleen and augments the qi: for weakness, shortness         of breath, lassitude, reduced appetite and loose stools due to         spleen and stomach deficiency.     -   Nourishes the blood and calms the spirit: for wan appearance,         irritability and severe emotional lability due to restless organ         disorder.     -   Moderates and harmonises the harsh properties of other herbs.         Dan shèn         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae         Actions     -   Invigorates the blood and breaks up blood stasis: For blood         stasis disorders in the lower abdomen such as dysmenorrhea,         amenorrhea, palpable masses, lochioschesis and pain due to blood         stasis. It is also used for blood stasis obstructing the chest         with chest or epigastric pain, as well as soreness in the ribs         or hypochondria due to constrained liver qi with blood stasis.     -   Clears heat and soothes irritability: especially useful for         restlessness, irritability, palpitations and insomnia due to         heat entering the nutritive level. It can also be used in         patterns of heart and kidney yin deficiency.         Dang gui         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Angelicae Sinensis         Actions     -   Tonifies the blood and regulates the menses: for patterns of         blood deficiency with such symptoms as a pallid, ashen         complexion, tinnitus, blurred vision and palpitations. Also very         commonly used for blood deficiency associated with menstrual         disorders such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea,         dysmenorrhea, etc.     -   Invigorates and harmonises the blood and disperses cold: an         important herb for stopping pain due to blood stasis. Commonly         used for abdominal pain, traumatic injury and carbuncles due to         blood stasis, especially when there is also cold from         deficiency. Also used in the treatment of blood deficiency with         chronic wind-damp painful obstruction.     -   Moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels: for dry         intestines due to blood deficiency.     -   Reduces swelling, expels pus, enerates flesh and alleviates         pain: used in treating sores and abscesses where its ability to         both tonify and invigorate the blood leads to improvement.         Dang shen         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Codonopsitis Pilosulae         Actions     -   Tonifies the middle burner and augments the qi: for lack of         appetite, fatigue, tired limbs, diarrhoea, vomiting or any         chronic illness with spleen qi deficiency. Also for symptoms of         prolapse of the uterus, stomach or rectum due to collapsed         spleen qi.     -   Tonifies the lungs: for lung deficiency with chronic cough and         shortness of breath or copious sputum due to spleen qi         deficiency.     -   Strengthens the qi and nourishes fluids: for wasting and         thirsting disorder or thirst due to injury to the fluids.     -   Also used with herbs that release the exterior or drain downward         when the presentation includes significant qi deficiency. In         such cases, this herb “supports the normal” while the other         herbs “expel the pathogenic influence”.         Dù zhòng         Pharmaceutical name: Cortex Eurommiae Ulmoidis         Actions     -   Tonifies the liver and kidneys, strengthens the sinews and         bones: for liver and kidney deficiency with such symptoms as         weak, sore or painful lower back and knees, fatigue and frequent         urination.     -   Aids in the smooth flow of qi and blood: used to promote         circulation, especially in those with weakness of the sinews and         bones.     -   Calms the foetus: for cold deficient kidney patterns with         bleeding during pregnancy. Also used to prevent miscarriage when         the foetus is restless or agitated and when the pregnant woman         has significant back pain or presents with a deficient         condition.     -   Recently used for dizziness and lightheadedness (hypertension)         from rising liver yang.         Ér chá         Pharmaceutical name: Pasta Acaciae seu Uncariae         Actions     -   Drains dampness and absorbs seepage: for sores that are filled         with purulent fluid, chronic non-healing sores and sores of the         oral cavity.     -   Stops bleeding: applied topically to stop bleeding due to         external injuries.     -   Clears the lungs, transforms phlegm, generates fluids and stops         diarrhoea: also taken internally for coughing due to lung heat,         thirst due to summerheat, diarrhoea, bloody diarrhoea and         dysenteric disorders. Such uses are now rare.         Fan xiè yè         Pharmaceutical name: Folium Sennae         Actions     -   Drains downward and guides out stagnation: for constipation due         to heat accumulation in the intestines.         Fú hai shí         Pharmaceutical name: Pumice         Actions     -   Clears heat from the lungs and expels phlegm-heat: for heat         accumulation in the lungs with sputum that is thick and         difficult to expectorate, or with coughing up blood.     -   Softens hardness and dissipates phlegm nodules: for scrofula and         similar disorders caused by phlegm-fire.     -   Promotes urination: for hot or stony painful urinary         dysfunction.         Fú líng         Pharmaceutical name: Sclerotium Poriae Cocos         Actions     -   Promotes urination and leaches out dampness: for urinary         difficulty, diarrhoea or oedema due to stagnation of fluids or         dampness. Also used in cases of scanty urine due to damp-heat         (more often in its red form).     -   Strengthens the spleen and harmonises the middle burner: for         spleen deficiency compounded by dampness and such symptoms as         loss of appetite, diarrhoea and epigastric distension.     -   Strengthens the spleen and transforms phlegm: for spleen         deficiency with congested fluids in which phlegm moves upward         with such symptoms as palpitations, headache, dizziness and a         thick, greasy tongue coating.     -   Quiets the heart and calms the spirit: for palpitations,         insomnia or forgetfulness.         Fù pén zi         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Rubi Chingii         Actions     -   Augments and stabilises the kidneys, binds the essence and         restrains urine: for urinary frequency or enuresis,         spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation or wet dreams due to kidney         yang deficiency.     -   Assists the yang and improves vision: for poor vision, sore         lower back and impotence due to liver and kidney deficiency.         Gan cao         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis         Actions     -   Tonifies the spleen and augments the qi: commonly used for         spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude and loose         stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an         irregular or intermittent pulse and/or palpitations.     -   Moistens the lungs and stops coughing: for coughing and         wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for         either heat or cold in the lungs.     -   Clears heat and relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles,         sores or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can         be taken internally or applied topically.     -   Moderates spasms and alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the         abdomen or legs.     -   Moderates and harmonises the characteristics of other herbs: by         virtue of its sweet, neutral and moderating properties, this         herb moderates hot and cold herbs and mitigates the violent         properties of other herbs. Because it is said to enter all 12         primary channels, it can lead and conduct other herbs into the         channels.     -   Also used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both         internally and topically.         Gan jiang         Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis         Actions     -   Warms the middle and expels cold: for warming the spleen and         stomach both in conditions of excess due to         externally-contracted cold, as well as cold from deficiency due         to insufficiency of the yang qi.     -   Rescues devastated yang and expels interior cold: for devastated         yang with such signs as a very weak pulse and cold limbs.     -   Warms the lungs and transforms phlegm: for lung cold with         expectoration of thin, watery or white sputum.     -   Warms the channels and stops bleeding: for cold from deficiency         that may present with haemorrhage of various types, especially         uterine bleeding. It is used in treating haemorrhage only if the         bleeding is chronic and pale in colour and is accompanied by         cold limbs, ashen whit face and a soggy, thin pulse.         Gáo ben         Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma et Radix Ligustici         Actions     -   Expels wind and alleviates pain: for externally-contracted         wind-cold and especially for headache. Also for any wind pattern         that presents with pain at the vertex or pain that travels from         the vertex down to the cheeks and teeth. Also for acute lower         back pain due to invasion of wind-cold, as it treats both ends         of the governing vessel.         Gé gen         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Puerariae         Actions     -   Releases the muscles and clears heat: for exterior disorders         lodged in the muscles manifesting in fever, headache and stiff         or tight upper back and neck     -   Nourishes the fluids and alleviates thirst: for thirst due to         stomach heat. Especially appropriate in cases of         externally-contracted heat.     -   Vents measles: to hasten recovery from measles with incomplete         expression of the rash.     -   Alleviates diarrhoea: for diarrhoea or dysenterial disorders due         to heat Can also be used for diarrhoea due to spleen deficiency         when combined with other appropriate herbs.     -   Treats symptoms of hypertension: this herb has recently been         used to treat the headache, dizziness, tinnitus or paresthesias         that can accompany hypertension.         Gui ban         Pharmaceutical name: Plastrum Testudinis         Actions     -   Nourishes the yin and anchors the yang: for yin deficiency with         ascendant yang with such symptoms as night sweats, dizziness,         tinnitus and steaming bone disorder. Also for yin deficiency of         the liver and kidneys that generates internal wind symptoms such         as facial spasms and tremors of the hands and feet     -   Benefits the kidneys and strengthens the bones: for kidney yin         deficiency with such signs as soreness of the lower back,         weakness in the legs, retarded skeletal development in children         or failure of the fontanel to close.     -   Cools blood and stops uterine bleeding: for excessive         menstruation or uterine bleeding caused by reckless movement of         hot blood.     -   Nourishes the blood and tonifies the heart: for heart deficiency         with anxiety, insomnia and forgetfulness.     -   Also for non-healing sores and ulcerations.         Guì zhi         Pharmaceutical name: Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae         Actions     -   Adjusts the nutritive and protective qi levels: for exterior         cold from deficiency patterns where sweating occurs without any         improvement in the patient's condition.     -   Warms the channels and disperses cold: for wind-cold-damp         painful obstruction in joints and limbs, especially the         shoulders. Also for gynaecological problems, such as         dysmenorrhea, caused by cold obstructing the blood.     -   Unblocks the yang and transforms the qi: for oedema due to         accumulation of cold phlegm or weak movement of the yang qi.     -   Warms and facilitates the flow of yang qi in the chest: for         palpitations due to obstruction to the flow of yang qi in the         chest. This can be due to either stagnation or deficiency.     -   Warms and facilitates the flow in the blood vessels: for         dysmennorrhea with or without abdominal masses.         He zi         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Terminaliae Chebulae         Actions     -   Binds up the intestines and stops diarrhoea: for chronic         diarrhoea and dysenteric disorders. Can be used for both hot and         cold patterns depending on the other herbs in the prescription.     -   Contains the leakage of lung qi, stop coughing and improves the         condition of the throat: for chronic cough, wheezing and loss of         voice. When combined with appropriate herbs, can be used for         cough due to phlegm-fire obstructing the lungs.         Hú huáng lián         Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma Picrorhizae         Actions     -   Drains damp-heat: for damp-heat dysenteric disorders or sores.     -   Clears heat from deficiency: for yin deficiency with heat signs.     -   Clears heat and reduces childhood nutritional impairment: most         appropriate when this disorder is accompanied by abdominal         distension, afternoon fevers and dysenteric diarrhoea.         Hu pò         Pharmaceutical name: Succinum         Actions     -   Arrests tremors and palpitations and calms the spirit: for         palpitations with anxiety, excessive dreams, insomnia,         forgetfulness, anxiety and seizures due to disturbance of the         spirit. Also used for childhood convulsions and seizures.     -   Invigorates the blood and dissipates stasis: for amenorrhea or         pain associated with palpable immobile masses due to blood         stasis. Also used recently in treating coronary heart disease.     -   Promotes urination and invigorates the blood: for urinary         retention or painful urinary dysfunction, especially with bloody         urine.     -   Reduces swelling and promotes healing: for sores, carbuncles and         ulcerations of the skin. Also for swelling and pain of the         scrotum or vulvular area.         Hua Jiao (Chuan jiao)         Pharmaceutical name: Pericarpium Zanthoxyli         Actions     -   Warms the middle burner, disperses cold and alleviates pain: for         spleen or stomach cold from deficiency with such symptoms as         cold and pain in the abdomen, vomiting and diarrhoea.     -   Kills parasites and alleviates abdominal pain: used as an         auxiliary herb for abdominal pain due to roundworms.         Huáng lián         Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma Coptidis         Actions     -   Drains fire and relieves toxicity: for heat with blazing fire         with such symptoms as high fever, irritability, disorientation,         delirium, red tongue and a rapid and full pulse. Also for         excessive heat with toxicity with such symptoms as painful, red         eyes and sore throat and for boils, carbuncles and abscesses.     -   Clears heat and drains dampness: for damp-heat in the stomach or         intestines that presents with diarrhoea or dysenteric disorder.         Also for vomiting and/or acid regurgitation due to stomach heat.     -   Clears heart fire: for irritability and insomnia due to lack of         communication between the heart and kidneys.     -   Clears heat and stops bleeding: for nosebleed or blood in the         urine, stool or vomit due to reckless movement of hot blood.     -   Drains stomach fire: for digestive dysfunction with bad breath         and belching with a putrid odour.     -   Clears heat topically: used topically for red and painful eyes         and ulcerations of the tongue and mouth.         Huo má rén         Pharmaceutical name: Semen Cannabis Sativae         Actions     -   Nourishes and moistens the intestines: for constipation in the         elderly, in the aftermath of a febile disease, post partum and         in cases of blood deficiency.     -   Nourishes the yin: mildly tonifies the yin and primarily used in         cases of yin deficiency with constipation.     -   Clears heat and promotes healing of sores: as an auxiliary herb         for sores and ulcerations, taken orally or applied topically.         Huàng qín         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis         Actions     -   Clears heat and drains fire, especially from the upper burner:         for heat patterns with high fever, irritability, thirst, cough         and expectoration of thick, yellow sputum or hot sores and         swellings. In treating the latter it can be applied topically or         taken internally.     -   Clears heat and dries dampness: a major herb for damp-heat in         the stomach or intestines, which manifests as diarrhoea or         dysenteric disorder; damp warm-febrile disease which presents         with fever, stifling sensation in the chest and thirst but         inability to drink; or for damp-heat in the lower burner with         painful urinary dysfunction. Used as an auxiliary herb for         damp-heat jaundice.     -   Clears heat and stops bleeding: for excessive internal heat         causing the blood to move recklessly. Symptoms include vomiting         or coughing of blood, nosebleed and blood in the stool.     -   Clears heat and calms the foetus: pacifies the womb when the         foetus is restless or kicking excessively due to heat.     -   Sedates ascendant liver yang: for such symptoms as headache,         irritability, red eyes, flushed face and bitter taste in the         mouth.         Jiang cán         Pharmaceutical name: Bombyx Batryticatus         Actions     -   Extinguishes wind and stops spasms and convulsions: for         childhood convulsions or facial paralysis. Also used for         seizures from either internal movement of liver wind or         wind-phlegm-heat.     -   Expels wind and stops pain: for headache, red eyes and sore,         swollen throat from either externally-contracted or liver wind.         Also used for loss of voice.     -   Transforms phlegm and dissipates nodules: for phlegm-heat         scrofula and other phlegm nodules.     -   Expels wind and stops itching: for itching skin lesions such as         wind rash.         Jié geng         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Platycodi Grandiflori         Actions     -   Opens up and disseminates the lung qi and expels phlegm: for         cough. When combined with other appropriate herbs, it can be         used for both wind-cold and wind-heat coughs.     -   Promotes the discharge of pus: for expelling pus associated with         lung abscess or throat abscess.     -   Benefits the throat: used in many cases of sore throat or loss         of voice, especially in those caused by external heat, but also         when the condition is due to other factors such as phlegm-heat         or yin deficiency with heat signs.     -   Directs the effect of other herbs to the upper regions of the         body.         Jin qián cao         Pharmaceutical name: Herba Lysimachiae         Actions     -   Promotes urination, unblocks painful urinary dysfunction and         expels stones: for various types of painful urinary dysfunction.         It is a very important herb for treating stones in both the         urinary and biliary tracts.     -   Clears damp-heat in the liver and gallblader: for jaundice         and/or red, swollen eyes due to damp-heat.     -   Reduces toxicity and swelling: for snakebite, abscess and         traumatic injury.         Jin yín hua         Pharmaceutical name: Flos Lonicerae Japonicae         Actions     -   Clears heat and relieves fire toxicity: for hot, painful sores         and swellings in various stages of development, especially of         the breast, throat or eyes. Also for intestinal abscess.     -   Expels externally-contracted wind-heat: for the early stages of         warm-febrile diseases with such symptoms as fever, slight         sensitivity to wind, sore throat and headache. Also for         externally-contracted summerheat     -   Clears damp-heat from the lower burner: for damp-heat dysenteric         disorder or painful urinary dysfunction.         Jin ying zi         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Rosae Laevigatae         Actions     -   Stabilises the kidneys and retains the essence: for         spermatorrhea, urinary incontinence and vaginal discharge due to         deficiency and instability of the lower burner. Its astringent         and binding actions are also used for prolapsed rectum or uterus         as well as excessive uterine bleeding.     -   Binds up the intestines and stops diarrhoea: for chronic         diarrhoea and dysenteric disorders.         Jing jiè         Pharmaceutical name: Herba seu Flos Schizonepetae Tenuifoliae         Actions     -   Releases the exterior and expels wind: for exterior patterns of         either wind-cold or wind-heat (depending on the herbs with which         it is combined). Also for carbuncles or boils when they first         erupt, especially when accompanied by chills and fever.     -   Vents rashes and alleviates itching: for the initial stage of         measles and pruritic skin eruptions.     -   Stops bleeding: as an auxiliary herb for haemorrhage, e.g. blood         in the stool or uterine bleeding.         Léi wán         Pharmaceutical name: Sclerotium Omphaliae Lapidescens         Actions     -   Kills parasites: primarily for tapeworms, but also used for         hookworm and roundworm infestations.         Lián zi         Pharmaceutical name: Semen Nelumbinis Nuciferae         Actions     -   Tonifies the spleen and stops diarrhoea: for spleen deficiency         with chronic diarrhoea and loss of appetite. This herb both         augments and binds and is thus very useful in these conditions.     -   Tonifies the kidneys and stabilises the essence: for premature         ejaculation and spermatorrhea due to unstable, deficient         kidneys. Also used for excessive uterine bleeding and vaginal         discharge.     -   Nourishes the heart and calms the spirit: for palpitations with         anxiety, deficiency irritability and insomnia Especially useful         for problems due to lack of communication between the kidneys         and the heart.         Lóng yan ròu         Pharmaceutical name: Arillus Euphoriae Longanae         Actions     -   Tonifies and augments the heart and spleen, nourishes the blood         and calms the spirit: for insomnia, heart palpitations,         forgetfulness or dizziness due to heart and spleen deficiency.         Commonly used for problems associated with an excess of         pensiveness or overwork.         Ma dou líng         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Aristolochiae         Actions     -   Clears the lungs, transforms phlegm, stops coughing and calms         wheezing: for coughing and wheezing due to either lung heat or         lung deficiency accompanied by heat signs, as long as there is         phlegm clogging the lungs.     -   Recently used for hypertension when accompanied by         lightheadedness and flushing.     -   Also used for bleeding haemorrhoids.         Mài yá         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Hordei Vulgaris         Actions     -   Reduces food stagnation and strengthens the stomach: for poor         digestion due to stagnation and accumulation of undigested         starchy foods, as well as poorly digested milk in infants. Also         for weak digestion and loss of appetite in cases of spleen         deficiency.     -   Inhibits lactation: for women who are discontinuing nursing, or         for distended and painful breasts.     -   Facilitates the smooth flow of liver qi: for constrained liver         qi manifesting as a stifling sensation and distension in the         epigastrium or ribs, belching and loss of appetite.         Màn jing zi         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Viticis         Actions     -   Disperses wind and clears heat: for externally-contracted         wind-heat, especially when the major complaint is headache or         eye pain.     -   Clears and benefits the head and eyes: for liver channel         wind-heat manifesting as excessive tearing, red, painful or         swollen eyes, or spots in front of the eyes.     -   Drains dampness and expels wind: as an auxiliary herb for         wind-dampness in the limbs causing stiffness, numbness, cramping         or heaviness.         Mù hú dié         Pharmaceutical name: Semen Oroxyli Indici         Actions     -   Moistens the lungs and clears the voice: for cough, sore throat         and hoarseness.     -   Comforts the liver and regulates the qi: for flank and         epigastric pain due to constrained qi.     -   Also used topically to promote healing of ulcerated suppurative         sores.         Mu lì         Pharmaceutical name: Concha Ostreae         Actions     -   Settles and calms the spirit: for palpitations with anxiety,         restlessness and insomnia.     -   Benefits the yin and anchors the floating yang: for         irritability, insomnia, dizziness, headache, tinnitus, blurred         vision, bad temper or a red, flushed face due to yin deficiency         with ascendant yang.     -   Prevents leakage of fluids: for continuous sweating in patents         with steaming bone disorder or in the aftermath of a         warm-febrile disease. Also used as an astringent for spontaneous         sweating, night sweats, nocturnal emissions, spermatorrhea or         vaginal discharge and uterine bleeding due to deficiency.     -   Softens harness and dissipates nodules: for various kinds of         lumps in the neck such as scrofula and goiter.     -   Absorbs acidity and alleviates pain: used in calcined form for         excessive stomach pain with a sour taste in the mouth.         Mù tong         Pharmaceutical name: Caulis Mutong         Actions     -   Promotes urination and drains heat from the heart via the small         intestine: for such symptoms as irritability accompanied by         sores of the mouth or tongue and scanty urine. Also used in         treating damp-heat, painful urinary dysfunction, oedema and leg         qi.     -   Promotes lactation and unblocks the blood vessels: for         insufficient lactation; less commonly for amenorrhea and for         pain and stiffness of the joints.         Níu bàng zi         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Arctii Lappae         Actions     -   Disperses wind-heat and benefits the throat: for         externally-contracted wind-heat patterns with such symptoms as         fever, cough and a sore, red, swollen throat.     -   Clears heat and relieves toxicity: for red swellings,         carbuncles, erythemas, mumps and acute febrile maculopapular         rashes.     -   Vents rashes: for the early stages of measles when there is         incomplete expression of the rash.     -   Moistens intestines: for wind-heat constipation.         Ou jié         Pharmaceutical name: Nodus Nelumbinis Nuciferae Rhizomatis         Actions     -   Stops bleeding: used for many types of bleeding because it is         both an astringent and breaks up blood stasis. Most often used         for bleeding associated with heat in the lungs or stomach with         vomiting or coughing of blood. Also for chronic bleeding when         combined with other appropriate substances.         Qiang huó         Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii         Actions     -   Releases the exterior and disperses cold: for exterior cold         patterns with such symptoms as chills, fever, headache and body         aches and pains. Most commonly used when accompanied by dampness         with joint pain, a general feeling of heaviness, sleepiness or         when there is pain in the occipital region.     -   Unblocks painful obstruction and alleviates pain: for         wind-cold-damp painful obstruction, especially in the upper         limbs and back.     -   Guides qi to the greater yang channel and governing vessel: to         direct other herbs in a prescription to the areas served by         these two channels.         Qing hao         Pharmaceutical name: Herba Artemisiae Annuae         Actions     -   Clears summerheat: especially for summerheat with low fever,         headache, dizziness and a stifling sensation in the chest.     -   Clears fevers from deficiency: for fevers from either blood         deficiency or as the sequelae of a febrile disease. Especially         for unremitting fever or night fever and morning coolness with         an absence of sweating.     -   Cools blood and stops bleeding: for purpuric rashes or nosebleed         due to heat in the blood.     -   Checks malarial disorders and relieves heat: for the alternating         fever and chills of malarial disorders.         Ròu cóng róng         Pharmaceutical name: Herba Cistanches Deserticolae         Actions     -   Tonifies the kidneys and strengthens the yang: for deficient         kidney yang patterns with such symptoms as impotence,         spermatorrhea, urinary incontinence, posturinary dripping and         cold pains in the lower back and knees.     -   Warms the womb: for infertility, excessive uterine bleeding and         vaginal discharge from cold deficient womb.     -   Moistens the intestines and facilitates passage of stool: for         constipation involving dry intestines from inadequate fluids,         especially in the elderly but also in debilitated people or         those with deficient blood or qi.         San qi         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Notoginseng         Actions     -   Stops bleeding and transforms blood stasis: for internal and         external bleeding including vomiting blood, nosebleed and blood         in the urine or stool. Because this herb can stop bleeding         without causing blood stasis, it is very widely used.     -   Reduces swelling and alleviates pain: the herb of choice for         traumatic injuries, used for swelling and pain due to falls,         fractures, contusions and sprains. Effective in invigorating         blood, it is used for chest and abdominal pain, as well as joint         pain that has been caused by blood stasis.         Sang yè         Pharmaceutical name: Folium Mori Albae         Actions     -   Expels wind and clears heat from the lungs: for         externally-contracted wind-heat with fever, headache, sore         throat and coughing. Also for lung dryness with cough and dry         mouth or lung heat with thick, yellow sputum.     -   Clears the liver and the eyes: for liver channel eye problems         due to either wind-heat or yin deficiency. Common symptoms         include red, sore, dry or painful eyes, or spots in front of the         eyes.     -   Cools the blood and stops bleeding: for mild cases of vomiting         of blood due to heat in the blood.         Shan zha         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Crataegi         Actions     -   Reduces and guides out food stagnation: for accumulation due to         meat or greasy foods with accompanying symptoms of abdominal         distension, pain or diarrhoea.     -   Transforms blood stasis and dissipates clumps: for post partum         abdominal pain and clumps due to blood stasis. Also for hernial         disorders.     -   Stops diarrhoea: the partially charred herb is used for the         diarrhoea of chronic dysentery-like disorders.     -   Also used recently for hypertension, coronary artery disease and         elevated serum cholesterol.         Sheng má         Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma Cimicifugae         Actions     -   Releases the exterior and vents measles: for headache due to         exterior wind-heat or the early stages of measles.     -   Clears heat and relieves toxicity: for various manifestations of         fire toxin in the upper or superficial aspects of the body. It         is commonly used for sore teeth, swollen or painful gums,         ulcerated lips or gums, canker sores, painful and swollen         throat, sores or blotches from warm-febrile diseases.     -   Raises the yang and lifts the sunken: for middle qi deficiency         leading to such symptoms as shortness of breath, fatigue and         prolapse. Also used as a messenger to guide the effects of other         herbs upward.         Shí chang pu         Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma Acori Graminei         Actions     -   Opens the orifices, vaporises phlegm and quiets the spirit: for         phlegm veiling and blocking the sensory orifices with such         symptoms as deafness, dizziness, forgetfulness and dulled         sensorium, as well as seizures or stupor.     -   Harmonises the middle burner and transforms turbid dampness: for         such symptoms as chest and epigastric fullness and abdominal         pain due to dampness distressing the spleen and stomach.     -   Also used both internally and topically for wind-cold-damp         painful obstruction, trauma and sores.         Su mù         Pharmaceutical name: Lignum Sappan         Actions     -   Invigorates blood, reduces swellings and alleviates pain: for         blood stasis patterns such as post partum abdominal pain,         amenorrhea or pain and swelling from falls, fractures,         contusions or sprains.     -   Stops bleeding: for excessive post partum bleeding with         dizziness, vertigo and shortness of breath.         Su zi         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Perillae Frutescentis         Actions     -   Stops coughing and wheezing, redirects the qi downward and         dissolves phlegm: for coughing and wheezing with copious phlegm.         Especially useful when exhalation is more laboured than         inhalation and there is a stifling sensation in the chest     -   Moistens the intestines: for constipation due to dry intestines.         Suan zao rén         Pharmaceutical name: Semen Zizyphi Spinosae         Actions     -   Nourishes the heart yin, augments the liver blood and quiets the         spirit: for irritability, insomnia and palpitations with anxiety         due to either blood deficiency (inability to nourish the heart)         or yin deficiency (with upward-rising fire).     -   Prevents abnormal sweating: for both spontaneous sweating and         night sweats.         Tian mén dong         Pharmaceutical name: Tuber Asparagi Cochinchinensis         Actions     -   Nourishes kidney yin and clears lung heat: for yin deficiency         with heat signs in the upper burner, typically dryness of the         mouth. Also for dry lung patterns with such signs as dry mouth         and thick or blood-streaked sputum that is difficult to         expectorate.     -   Moistens the lungs, nourishes the kidneys and generates fluids:         for lung and kidney yin deficiency especially wasting and         thirsting disorder and consumption with low-grade afternoon         fever. Also for constipation due to dry intestines.         Tian nán xing         Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma Arisaematis         Actions     -   Dries dampness and expels phlegm: for cough and a stifling and         distended sensation in the chest due to stubborn phlegm. This         herb is extremely drying in nature.     -   Disperses wind-phlegm in the channels and stops spasms: for         disorders in which wind and phlegm obstruct the channels causing         dizziness, numbness in the limbs, facial paralysis, spasms in         the hands or feet, opisthotonos, stroke, seizures or lockjaw.     -   Reduces swelling and alleviates pain: used topically for such         problems as deep-rooted sores, ulcers and carbuncles. Also for         swelling due to traumatic injury.         Tíng lì zì         Pharmaceutical name: Semen Descurainiae seu Lepidii         Actions     -   Drains the lungs, reduces phlegm and calms wheezing: for         excess-type wheezing or coughing with copious sputum and a         gurgling sound in the throat due to phlegm accumulation or lung         heat.     -   Moves water and reduces oedema: for facial oedema or fluid         accumulation in the chest or abdomen with urinary difficulty due         to excess-type obstruction of the lung and bladder qi.         Tù si zi         Pharmaceutical name: Semen Cuscutae Chinensis         Actions     -   Tonifies the kidneys, augments the yin, secures the essence and         reserves the urine: for deficient kidney yang patterns with such         symptoms as impotence, nocturnal emission, premature         ejaculation, tinnitus, frequent urination, sore painful back or         vaginal discharge.     -   Tonifies the kidneys and liver and improves vision: for patterns         of deficient liver and kidney yin and yang (e.g. deficient         essence) with such symptoms as dizziness, tinnitus, blurred         vision, or spots in front of the eyes.     -   Benefits the spleen and kidneys and stops diarrhoea: for         diarrhoea or loose stools with a lack of appetite from         deficiency of both the spleen and kidneys.     -   Calms the foetus: an important herb for habitual or threatened         miscarriage.         Wu bèi zi         Pharmaceutical name: Galla Rhois Chinensis         Actions     -   Contains the leakage of lung qi and stops cough: for chronic         cough due to lung deficiency.     -   Binds up the intestines and stops diarrhoea: for chronic         diarrhoea, dysenteric disorders, chronic blood in the stool and         rectal prolapse.     -   Preserves and restrains: for a wide variety of leakage problems         including nocturnal emissions and spermatorrhea, excessive         sweating and bleeding.     -   Absorbs moisture, reduces swellings and relieves fire toxicity:         used topically as a powder or wash for such symptoms as sores,         ringworm, toxic swellings and damp and ulcerated skin.     -   Also used topically for scar tissue.         Wu jia pí         Pharmaceutical name: Cortex Acanthopanacis         Actions     -   Dispels wind-dampness and strengthens the sinews and bones: for         chronic wind-cold-damp painful obstruction when chronic         deficiency of the liver and kidneys generates weak or soft         sinews and bones. This herb is especially useful when the smooth         flow of qi and blood is obstructed. It is particularly suitable         for treating the elderly and for developmental delays in the         motor functions of children.     -   Transforms dampness and reduces swelling: for urinary         difficulty, oedema and damp-cold leg qi.         Wu wèi zi         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis         Actions     -   Contains the leakage of lung qi and stops coughing: for chronic         cough and wheezing due to lung deficiency or patterns of lung         and kidney deficiency. This herb inhibits the leakage of lung qi         above, enriching the kidney yin below, and also stops coughing.         As such, it is an important and effective herb for chronic         coughs.     -   Tonifies the kidneys, binds up essence and stops diarrhoea: for         nocturnal emission, spermatorrhea, vaginal discharge and urinary         frequency due to kidney deficiency. Also used for daybreak         diarrhoea due to spleen and kidney deficiency.     -   Inhibits sweating and generates fluids: for excessive sweating,         especially when accompanied by thirst or a dry throat. Depending         on the other ingredients in the formula, it can be used for         spontaneous sweating, night sweats or even wasting and thirsting         disorders.     -   Quiets the spirit and calms the heart: for irritability,         palpitations, dream-disturbed sleep and insomnia due to injury         to the blood and yin of the heart and kidneys.     -   Recently used for allergic skin disorders and to improve liver         function in patients with hepatitis.         Wu yào         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Linderae Strychnifoliae         Actions     -   Promotes the movement of qi and alleviates pain: for a stifling         sensation in the chest, flank pain and epigastric and abdominal         pain and distension due to cold constraint and qi stagnation.         The herb warms and disperses and is effective in spreading and         unblocking the qi mechanisms. It thereby smoothens the flow of         qi, facilitates the middle, disperses cold and stops pain in         many areas. It is also used when cold accumulation and qi         stagnation manifest in lower abdominal pain, hernial disorder or         menstrual pain.     -   Warms the kidneys: for frequent urination or urinary         incontinence due to insufficiency of kidney yang and cold from         deficiency of the bladder.         Xian hè cao         Pharmaceutical name: Herba Agrimoniae Pilosae         Actions     -   Restrains leakage of blood and stops bleeding: widely used for         various types of bleeding such as vomiting blood, coughing of         blood, nosebleed, bleeding gums, blood in the urine or uterine         bleeding. Depending on its particular combination with other         herbs, this herb can be used for bleeding due to heat, cold,         excess or deficiency.     -   Alleviates diarrhoea and dysenteric disorders: for chronic         problems, as this herb has a restraining nature.     -   Kills parasites: for trichomonas vaginitis and tapeworm.         Xin yí hua         Pharmaceutical name: Flos Magnoliae         Actions     -   Expels wind-cold and unblocks the nasal passages: for nasal         obstruction or congestion, nasal discharge, loss of sense of         smell, sinus problems, or related headache. While primarily used         for problems due to wind-cold, it can also be used for any nasal         or sinus condition, depending on the other herbs in the         prescription.         Xing rén         Pharmaceutical name: Semen Pruni Armeniacae         Actions     -   Stops coughing and calms wheezing: used quite broadly for many         kinds of cough disorders caused by either heat or cold,         depending on the combination. Because the herb is moist in         nature, it is especially useful for externally-contracted dry         cough.     -   Moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels: this secondary         use of the herb derives from its high oil content.         Yán hú suo         Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma Corydalis Yanhusuo         Actions     -   Invigorates the blood and alleviates pain: for pain due to blood         stasis and traumatic injury. Especially useful for dysmenorrhea.     -   Promotes the movement of qi and alleviates pain: for stagnant qi         that manifests with such symptoms as chest pain, abdominal pain,         menstrual pain, hernial disorders and especially epigastric         pain.         Ye jú hua         Pharmaceutical name: Flos Chrysanthemi Indici         Actions     -   Drains fire and relieves toxicity: for furuncles, carbuncles and         sores. Also for sore, swollen throats and wind-fire causing red         eyes.         Yì mu cao         Pharmaceutical name: Herba Leonuri Heterophylli         Actions     -   Invigorates the blood and regulates the menses: commonly used         for gynaecological disorders such as irregular menstruation,         pre-menstrual abdominal pain, immobile abdominal masses,         infertility and post partum abdominal pain with lochioschesis.     -   Invigorates the blood and reduces masses: for abdominal masses         or infertility caused by stasis from blood deficiency.     -   Promotes urination and reduces swelling: for acute systemic         oedema. Especially useful for that which is accompanied by blood         in the urine.         Yín yáng huò         Pharmaceutical name: Herba Epimedii         Actions     -   Tonifies the kidneys and fortifies the yang: for deficient         kidney yang patterns with such symptoms as impotence,         spermatorrhea, frequent urination, forgetfulness, withdrawal and         painful cold lower back and knees.     -   Expels wind-damp-cold: for wind-damp-cold painful obstruction         with such symptoms as spasms or cramps in the hands and feet,         joint pain and numbness in the extremities.     -   Tonifies the yin and yang and harnesses ascendant liver yang:         for lower back pain, dizziness and menstrual irregularity from         deficient liver and kidneys and subsequent ascendant liver yang.         Yú xing cao         Pharmaceutical name: Herba cum Radice Houttuyniae Cordatae         Actions     -   Clears heat and toxin, reduces swellings and abscesses: for lung         abscess or lung heat cough with expectoration of thick,         yellow-green sputum.     -   Relieves toxicity and expels pus: for toxic sores, internally         and topically.     -   Drains damp-heat and promotes urination: for large intestine         damp-heat diarrhoea or damp-heat in the lower burner with         painful urinary dysfunction.         Yuan zhì         Pharmaceutical name: Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae         Actions     -   Calms the spirit and quiets the heart: for insomnia,         palpitations with anxiety, restlessness and disorientation. Most         effective in cases related to excessive brooding or constrained,         pent-up emotions.     -   Expels phlegm and clears the orifices: used when phlegm envelops         the orifices of the heart with such manifestations as emotional         and mental disorientation or seizures.     -   Expels phlegm from the lungs: for coughs with copious sputum,         especially when difficult to expectorate.     -   Reduces abscesses and dissipates swellings: for boils,         abscesses, sores and swollen and painful breasts. Used in         powdered form and applied topically or taken with wine.         Zhen zhu         Pharmaceutical name: Margarita         Actions     -   Sedates the heart and settles tremors and palpitations: for         palpitations, childhood convulsions and seizures. Also used for         disharmony of the heart and spirit wherein the patient is easily         frightened or angered.     -   Clears the liver and eliminates superficial visual obstructions:         for blurred vision due to pterygium or other superficial         disorders of the eyes. Often used topically as a powder.     -   Promotes healing and generates flesh: used topically as a powder         for chronic, non-healing ulcers or macerated areas (usually         throat or gums).         Zhi mu         Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma Anemarrhenae Asphodeloidis         Actions     -   Clears heat and drains fire: for high fever, irritability,         thirst and a rapid, flooding pulse in patters of excessive heat         in the lungs and stomach Also for cough due to heat in the lungs         with expectoration of thick, yellow sputum.     -   Enriches yin and moistens dry conditions: for exhaustion or         deficiency of lung and kidney yin with heat signs such as night         sweats, steaming bone disorder, irritability, afternoon or         low-grade fevers, warmth in the five centres and bleeding gums.         Also for such kidney heat signs as spermatorrhea, nocturnal         emissions and abnormally elevated sexual drive.     -   Generates fluids and clears heat: for oral ulcers and         inflammation due to yin deficiency as well as wasting and         thirsting disorder.         Zhi zi         Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Gardeniae Jasminoidis         Actions     -   Clears heat and eliminates irritability: for heat patterns with         fever, irritability, restlessness, a stifling sensation in the         chest, insomnia or delirious speech.     -   Drains damp-heat: for painful urinary dysfunction due to         damp-heat in the lower burner; damp-heat and constrained liver         and gallbladder (middle burner) with jaundice; and damp-heat in         the gallbladder and triple burner channels of the face,         affecting the nose and eyes or causing sores in the mouth or         facial region.     -   Cools the blood and stops bleeding: for heat in the blood with         such symptoms as nosebleed, or blood in the vomit, stool or         urine. For this purpose, the herb is partially charred.     -   Reduces swelling and moves blood stasis due to trauma: for this         purpose, apply topically as a powder mixed with egg white or         vinegar.         Zi su yè         Pharmaceutical name: Folium Perillae Frutescentis         Actions     -   Releases the exterior and disperses cold: for         externally-contracted wind-cold with such symptoms as fever,         chills, headache, nasal congestion or cough.     -   Releases the exterior and disperses cold: for exterior disorders         with headache and nasal congestion accompanied by cough or a         stifling sensation in the chest.     -   Promotes the movement of qi and expands the chest: for nausea,         vomiting or poor appetite.     -   Use during pregnancy: for calming a restless foetus or for         morning sickness.     -   Alleviates seafood poisoning: used either alone or with other         herbs.

Preferably the minerals contain one or more minerals, especially in the form of a hydrophillic concentrate such as available from Rocklands Corporation, Tulsa, Okla., USA.

Especially preferred minerals include: calcium, phosphorous, sulphur, magnesium, copper, zinc, cobalt, chlorine, iron, iodine, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, selenium, chromium, and aluminium. These are preferably in the form of ionic salts.

The organic oils preferably contain one or more essential fatty acids and/or gamma linoleic acids. Preferably they contain omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. The fatty acids are preferably in a 1:1 ratio. The oils may be obtained commercially from, for example, Omega Nutrition, Vancouver, Canada. They may be a blend of one or more oils such as flax seed oil, sunflower/safflower oil, pumpkin oil and/or sesame oil.

The invention will now be described by way of example.

Typically the formulations comprise:

-   -   1/100–1 ml., especially 1/10 ml., each essential oil;     -   1000–10000 mg., especially 2000 mg. to 8000 mg. each Chinese         herb;     -   1000–20000 mg., especially 4000 mg. to 10000 mg. each spice;     -   0–30000 mg., especially 20000 mg. of each vitamin;     -   5000–15000 mg., especially 10000 mg. Aloe vera;     -   0–10 ml. flower remedies;     -   0–50 ml., especially 20 ml. Indian Brandee;     -   0–20000 mg. minerals; and     -   0–20000 mg. organic oils concentrate.

The product formulae can be used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments. Typically the compositions are given in the form of capsules containing between 200 mg and 1 g of composition per capsule.

The formulations may also be taken neat or diluted with, for example 50% volume/volume cordial, fruit juice or lemonade.

The dosages may be separated into, for example, 3 equal doses taken after breakfast, lunch and an evening meal.

The Aloe vera, honey products, vitamins, minerals and organic oils are all commercially available products.

The Aloe vera products, heat lotion and propolis creme may be obtained from Forever Living Products (UK) Ltd, Longbridge Manor, Longbridge, Warwick, Warwickshire, United Kingdom. Aloe vera “juice” comprises as main ingredients stabilised Aloe vera gel, sorbitol, lemon juice, vitamin E, sodium benzoate and papain. “Pure” Aloe vera typically comprises stabilised Aloe vera gel, sorbitol, citric acid, vitamin E, sodium benzoate and papain. Aloe vera “nectar” comprises raw Aloe vera gel, fructose, sorbitol, cranberry and apple juice concentrate, ascorbic acid, citric acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, xanthan gum, tocopherol and colourings. Cold pressed Aloe vera is especially preferred. Concentrate may also be used.

Heat lotion comprises stabilized Aloe vera gel, DI water, propylene glycol, stearic acid, glyceryl stearate, triethanolamine, eucalyptus oil, methyl salicylate, apricot kernel oil, sesame oil, cetyl alcohol, petrolatum, lanolin, jojaba oil, oleic acid, stearyl stearate, dioctyl adipate, octyl stearate, octyl palmitate, PEG-100 stearate, allantoin, mineral oil, lanolin alcohol, ascorbic acid, diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben and propylparaben.

Propolis creme comprises stabilised Aloe vera gel, glyceryl stearate (and) PEG-1-00 stearate, propylene glycol, cetyl alcohol, dioctyl adipate (and) octyl stearate (and) octyl palmitate, lanolin, sorbitol, allantoin, bee propolis extract, lanolin alcohol, dimethicone, mineral oil, imodazolidinyl, urea, vitamins A & E, comfrey extract, chamomile extract, triethanolamine, ascorbic acid, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance.

Initial results indicate that the specific essential oil and herb/spice combination of the invention provides effective compositions for medical and/or cosmetic use.

The preferred compositions comprise:

Aloe vera, preferable as a 8000 concentrate powder 200:1; optionally Bee propolis 5:1 and/or pine honey (cronycive); one or more vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and pine bark extract, optionally with Vitamin D, Vitamin E, grapeskin polyphenol, inositol, germanium, grapefruit extract, bioflavansid compositions and pycnogenol; hydrophilic minerals concentrate and organic oils concentrate; together with at least one Chinese herb, essential oil and spice selected from list A and/or B.

List A Chinese Herbs Bai Shae S Epimedium Spinosa P Gan Cao S Gan Tiang P Gui Zhi S LeiWan (Calvacin) P Man Ting Zi P San Qi (Tian Qi) P Shi Chang Pu O Tian Men Dong S Wu Wei Zi P Yin Yang Huo O Zi Su Ye S Essential Oils Alfalfa (Lucern) P Clove Buds P Tea Tree P Spices Caraway P Cloves Ground P Indian Brandee O List B Chinese Herbs: 5:1 Bai Guo P Bai Guo Ye P Chen Pi P Fu Hai Shi P Huang Qin S Jing Jie S Qing Hao P Tu Si Zi O Xin Yi Hua S Yu Xing Cao S Yuan Zhi P Essential Oils: Apricot seed P Bergamot P Chamomile Bleu S Chamomile German O Chamomile Maroc P Chamomile Roman S Cinnamon Zeylanicum P Clove buds P Eucalyptus Globulus P Fennel S Frankincence P Hyssop O Juniper S Lemon grass S Niaouli S Pineseed P Rose geranium P Rosemary S Savoury O Tagestes P Thyme red S Ylang Ylang O Spices Cardomom ground P Celery seeds ground P P indicates most preferred components; S indicates less preferred, secondary components; O indicates other optional components.

The components may be used together with flower remedies such as beech, chicory, honeysuckle and sweet chestnut.

The Delivery and Bio Availability System has been shown by the inventors to improve the response of the body to the treatment of a variety of ailments, especially when used with other herbs and spices, such as those in WO 98/40086. It is thought that the formulation boosts the body's immune system.

The pollution irrigator is thought to improve the performance of such treatments by removing pollutants, herbicides, pesticides and other toxins from the body. 

1. A medicinal or cosmetic composition comprising Aloe vera in combination with Inositol, a minerals concentrate, an organic oils concentrate, Lei Wan, Tea Tree oil and Celery Seeds Ground.
 2. A medicinal or cosmetic composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises one of more Vitamins selected from the group consisting of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocapherol), (Grapeskin Polyphenol, Pycnogenol (French Maritime) and Pine Bark Extract.
 3. A medicinal or cosmetic composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises one of more Chinese herbs selected from the group consisting of Bao Shao, Epimedium Spinosa, Gan Cao, Gan Tiang, Gui Zhi, Man Ting Zi, Shu Chang Pu, Tian Men Dong, Wu Wei Zi, Yin Yang Huo, Zi Su Ye, Bai Guo, Bai Guo Ye, Chen Pi, Fu Hai Shi, Huang Qin, Jing Jie, Qing Hao, Tu Si Zi, Xin Yi Hua, Yu Xing Cao, and Yuan Zhi.
 4. A medicinal or cosmetic composition according to claim 3 wherein the composition comprises one of more of Epimedium Spinosa, Gan Tiang, Man Ting Zi, San Qi and Wu WeiZi.
 5. A medicinal or cosmetic composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises one of more essential oil selected from the group consisting of Alfalfa, Clove Buds, Apricot Seed, Bergamot, Chamomile Bleu, Chamomile German, Chamomile Maroc, Chamomile Roman, Cinnamon Zeylanicium, Eucalyptus Globulus, Fennel, Frankincense, Hyssop, Juniper, Lemon Grass, Niaouli, Pineseed, Rose Geranium, Rosemary, Savoury, Tagestes, Thyme Red and Ylang Ylang.
 6. A medicinal or cosmetic composition according to claim 5 wherein the composition further comprises one of more of the following essential oils: Alfalfa and Clove Buds.
 7. A medicinal or cosmetic composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises one of more spices selected from the group consisting of Caraway, Cloves Ground, Indian Brandee and Cardomon Ground.
 8. A medicinal or cosmetic composition according to claim 7 wherein the composition comprises Cardomon Ground.
 9. A medicinal or cosmetic composition comprises Aloe Vera in combination with Inositol, a minerals concentrate, an organic oil concentrate, Lei Wan, Tea Tree oil and Celery Seeds Ground; wherein the composition is suitable for oral administration. 